EU To Appoint Dedicated Ambassador To ASEAN

The European External Action Service (EEAS) on Wednesday indicated it was on the lookout for a dedicated European Union Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The European Union described the decision as an "important" one in a statement, stressing that the move reflects the European bloc's growing engagement with ASEAN and underlines its ambition to upgrade the partnership to a strategic one.

The dedicated EU Ambassador to ASEAN, based in Jakarta, will coordinate the EU's expanding cooperation activities with ASEAN. He or she will represent the EU in all relevant negotiations, coordinate with EU Member States and enhance public diplomacy efforts in relation to EU support for ASEAN integration.

"ASEAN brings together ten countries and 600 million people in a region characterized by strong economic growth but also by important political and security challenges. ASEAN plays a key role in building a rules--based regional architecture," the EU press release noted.

Notably, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, scheduled to take place in Milan on October 16-17, will bring together Heads of State and Government from 53 Asian and European Partners.

The EU noted that the upcoming summit will a key opportunity to further strengthen Europe's ties with Asia.